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Yellow Branch Farm House near Fontana Lake, Fontana Dam, the Appalachian Trail

Lakefront cabin with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Yellow Branch Farm House near Fontana Lake, Fontana Dam, the Appalachian Trail

Exterior
Terrace/patio
Exterior
foyer
galley kitchen

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 41000 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View in a map
Robbinsville, NC
  • Place, Fontana Lake
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Place, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    ‪38 min drive‬
  • Place, Harrahs Cherokee Casino
    ‪50 min drive‬
  • Airport, Knoxville, TN (TYS-McGhee Tyson)

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Downstairs

1 Double Bed

Loft

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Yellow Branch Farm House near Fontana Lake, Fontana Dam, the Appalachian Trail

Our comfortable, recently renovated 1000 sq. ft., 2 story traditional mountain cabin provides a restful and unique setting to enjoy your mountain vacation and renew your spirit. The house is located on the perimeter of Yellow Branch Farm, a former dairy farm and creamery. Guests are welcome to walk around the farm and garden. The location is very quiet with an occasional car, farm vehicle, or pedestrian passing by the house on Yellow Branch Road. Also nearby is Silverbell Studio, a pottery studio that established by the gals who purchased Yellow Branch Pottery in 2022.

The spacious downstairs of this cabin includes a great room with vaulted ceiling, an open, well-stocked, compact galley kitchen and dining area.

Also downstairs is a bedroom with double bed, a sitting room with DVD player and hundreds of movies. The full bathroom with tub/shower is also located on the main level.

The upper floor is an open loft with queen bed and NEWLY ADDED, 1/2 bath. No more going downstairs in the middle of the night!

Cell service is not available on the property and there is a land line available for local and long distance calls at no charge. WiFi is available.

The pastoral and quiet setting includes a spacious deck, covered porch, firepit, and a Weber charcoal grill. A starter amount of charcoal and firewood is provided.

Fontana Lake is just down Yellow Branch Road. Please check with us about access to lake for swimming and kayaking. There are plenty of safe places to walk in the neighborhood. Also, close by are Cable Cove boat ramp, Fontana Village and Marina, Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, the Appalachian Trail, Tsali Recreation Area, Nantahala Gorge for white water rafting, Joyce Kilmer Forest, Cherokee, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to name a few attractions. Robbinsville is 15 miles away and Bryson City, 25 miles.

We didn't rent in 2023 after Bruce fell from a ladder while helping a neighbor in January. The injuries were serious and he is still on the mend. He is now able to work in the garden, lawn maintenance and general repairs. We are grateful for the support and out reach from our community. We are happy to be back in business and look forward to meeting you!

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Verified Identity Badge Required

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Robbinsville

Located in Robbinsville, this cabin is in a rural area and on a lake. Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center and Graham County Historical Association are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Fontana Village Resort Marina and Junaluska Medicine Trail.
View more Cabin rentals in RobbinsvilleOpens in a new window
Map
Robbinsville, NC

What's nearby

  • Fontana Lake - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Santeetlah Lake - 20 min drive - 25.0 km
  • Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 35 min drive - 45.6 km
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 38 min drive - 50.0 km
  • Harrahs Cherokee Casino - 50 min drive - 66.4 km

Getting around

  • Alcoa - Knoxville Airport (TYS) - 99 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Wildwood Grill at Fontana Village - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Fontana Village Rec Hall - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Quill's Canteen - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Hazels - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Mountview Bistro - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Yellow Branch Farm House near Fontana Lake, Fontana Dam, the Appalachian Trail pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Yellow Branch Farm House near Fontana Lake, Fontana Dam, the Appalachian Trail?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Yellow Branch Farm House near Fontana Lake, Fontana Dam, the Appalachian Trail?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Yellow Branch Farm House near Fontana Lake, Fontana Dam, the Appalachian Trail?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Yellow Branch Farm House near Fontana Lake, Fontana Dam, the Appalachian Trail located?

This family-friendly Robbinsville cabin is located on a lake, within 1 mi (2 km) of Nantahala National Forest and Fontana Lake. Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center and Fontana Village Resort Marina are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 66 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 66 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 66 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 66 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 66 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chuck G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cabin was perfect and had more than everything we needed.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leanna D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The farmhouse was absolutely charming with handmade pottery and braided rugs throughout! I enjoyed listening to the babbling brook on the deck every morning while drinking my coffee and cozy bonfires at night. If we are ever back in that area we will definitely want to stay at Yellow Branch Farm House!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Karen and Bruce are ever so kind and helpful and the cabin is cosy and comfortable. They’ve thought of everything, and the setting is divine. The location, in the trees, was really special and we just loved sitting on the porch listening to the birds and the stream. There are amazing walks nearby and a fabulous artist community all around. The house has games and dvds and binoculars, the kitchen is really well equipped and the beds are super comfy. Yellow Branch Farm is a home away from home we’ll never forget and hope to come back to.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

OGUITO

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A true hidden gem ! Place is beautiful if you love peace , harmony , serenity and nature.It’s absolutely gorgeous.Surrounded by nature all the time !Definitely a place you want to come and cook and spend wholesome time with family ! The homeowners or property owners are amazing ! Bruce and Karen are a true gem ! Extremely hospitable! Can’t wait to come back !
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bill M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great vacation. Karen and Bruce were great to work with
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amanda E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and warm!

My fiancé and I came up for a car meet on the tail of the dragon, we had an amazing and peaceful stay. All the amenities were set up and ready for us, they provided hospitality above and beyond. Very generous and communicative hosts. It was cold outside but nice and cozy inside the house! No complaints, would 100% stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

kevin p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend getaway

Excellent property and host! Highly recommend this lovely home and beautiful property in the NC mountains. Quiet and secluded. Loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Margaret G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Drive Tail of the Dragon + Mom relaxation time

We had a great time and Bruce and Karen are phenomenal! The house is in a spectacular location and has been maintained beautifully. The kitchen is well stocked and the house is just perfect.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ben C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great get away

The farm house was very rustic and had a unique charm to it. It was quiet and secluded. My friends and I had a nice peaceful weekend fishing on Lake Fontana and the surrounding area.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jim P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spring break getaway

My granddaughter and I went to the area for spring break. We enjoyed discovering the nearby sights and going on hikes. Very relaxing!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

8/10 Good

Stephen and Karen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Farmhouse

Very nice interesting hosts. Good location. Lovely kitchen and pottery. Amazing video and vhs collection. Comfortable porch and deck areas.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

linda s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely and so relaxing!

I, along with my daughter and grandson stayed at Yellow Branch Farm for two nights in June. The house was beautiful and more than we expected. Karen was so kind and helpful, giving us ideas of what to do in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Audrey R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful location!

We truly enjoyed our stay at the Farmhouse. The house was very clean and perfectly stocked with the essentials. The location was great for hiking in Nantahala forest, as well as a short drive to the Smokey mountains. And, the cheese was delicious!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Myra B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect fall getaway

Our stay at the farmhouse was wonderful. The house is very comfortable and the hosts have thoughtfully taken care of every detail. There location is ideal as it is quietly secluded yet within short driving distance of hiking trails and other local attractions. We will absolutely be returning!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

jay g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay. Sorry to leave early.

quiet.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Avigail S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

wonderful

Wonderful hosts, location and property. I felt pampered with all the attention to small details. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Criseida B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

First time MATG

Thank you Karen and Bruce for letting us stay at the farmhouse! It was perfect. Clean, well equipped with lots of charm. We enjoyed grilling and playing scrabble. One of the best stays we’ve in a while.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hasan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and Relaxing Farm

We stayed for 5 days with my two boys and enjoyed it a lot. The two dogs Pearl and Cleo were really friendly and my kids enjoyed to play with them. We had a chance to taste fresh milk and my kids enjoyed making pottery. Karen and Bruce were really nice hosts. We recommend this place for people who like peace and wilderness.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Maria L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Recreation and relaxation!

This cabin is a gem! It was well stocked with loads of character, fantastic deck and front porch to enjoy nature. The surrounding property is beautiful and so peaceful. Super easy access to Fontana Lake and a short drive to Tsali recreation area for mountain biking and hiking. The cheese (Yum) and pottery were the icing on the cake! Thanks for a great stay, we will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Katie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect farmhouse in the mountains

We thoroughly enjoyed the farmhouse. It is rustic, lovely, and full of charm and special touches. The location offers the perfect amount of peaceful tranquility and is still close to the outdoor activities we did at the NOC. The kids loved the cows and loft, and the cheese was delicious! Hoping to return soon! Thanks for sharing your mountain gem with us, Karen and Bruce!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Emilia G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

very nice place

Great place for vacation! Photos don't do this house justice. This house has interesting and comfortable furniture, custom ceramics, and a well-equipped kitchen. I don't think I missed anything, and we cooked and grilled. Lake is just a short walk away. Plenty of opportunities for kayaking, boating, and hiking. Highly recommended if looking to spend quiet time with family.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lucia C., Atlanta, GA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Artisan Farm House

We chose this cottage for it's location. My best friend was a through hiker on the AT and needed a break from backpacking. We were able to be very comfortable and cook delicious meals while hiking from Fontana, Stecoah Gap, Wesser, and Wayah. The bonus was the lovely cottage with beautiful pottery and art, lots of movies, and a well stocked kitchen. I look forward to returning in the Spring to this enchanted spot.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melanie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy farm house

Yellow Branch farm was a great little place to stay. Had everything we needed. Hosts were very thorough in providing instructions on how everything worked in the place. They were easy to communicate with. Unfortunately we didn;t have time to meet the cows or the owners or check out the cheese and pottery shop. But would definitely recommend the house for a small group.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Colleen D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely off the grid farmhouse

We loved staying at the farmhouse of Karen and Bruce. At the end of each day of motorcycle riding, it was wonderful to lay back at the farm. Really enjoyed meeting the two lovely cows who help produce their delicious cheese. Our only recommendation of change would be to have a tv in the main space with a fire stick. Peace
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

George G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome Trip!

The property exceeding our expectations. First VRBO we have stayed at that had plenty of ice. A big deal for us! The house was clean and had everything we needed. Whether we were relaxing by the fire pit at night or relaxing on one of the porches reading a book and listening to the stream this was a perfect weekend. Karen was very friendly and the pottery shop and cheese were wonderful. Would love to go again.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

About the host

Hosted by Karen Mickler and Bruce DeGroot

Host profile image
We purchased the farm in 1979 with our family and moved from Iowa shortly thereafter.
Being native Floridians, the mountains appealed to us as a great location to live and be closer to our families. Our passions are growing our own food and living our lives as artisans, so we bought a milk cow and built a pottery shop for Karen and woodworking shop for Bruce. The cheese business evolved slowly over the years and Bruce concentrated solely on farming and cheese making around 2000. Karen retired in 2021 and no longer operates Yellow Branch Pottery. She enjoys more time for gardening and hiking.
Bruce retired from cheesemaking in 2023 after an unfortunate fall from a ladder. He is making an excellent recovery, with the help of a lot of physical therapy and exercise. At the time he fell, he was putting in a half bathroom upstairs in the loft. Work has begun again on the project and we hope it will be ready soon.

We celebrate a life time of creativity and good food! We look forward to meeting you.

Why they chose this property

We were looking for an existing farm to purchase in Western North Carolina. Being Iowa residents, we were attracted to the kinder winters and beauty of the mountains. Yellow Branch Farm had been abandoned for many years and had all of the qualities we were looking for. The proximity to Fontana Lake and the quiet surroundings in the rural setting attracted us also.

What makes this property unique

Yellow Branch Farmhouse is a comfortable rustic cabin with all the amenities needed for a quiet vacation away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you are looking for an out of the way place, yet one that is within 30 minutes of several recreation spots. While we were closed in all of 2023 because of Bruce's accident, we have consistent #5 ratings.
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